Cutter chain structure



Sept. 30, 1952 R. F. PROX, J R., ET AL CUTTER CHAIN: STRUCTURE FiledJune 6. 1951 Patented Sept. 30, 1952 mintF-i Woods; Terre Haute Ind.,assignorsto Frank Prox Company, Inc., Terre Haute, Ind.,v

a corporation Application Junefi, 1951, Serial No. 230,176

aiolai s. (cur-254) This invention relates toa cutter chain structure,particularly. employed in coal mining. but which is equallyapplicabletoother uses.

The invention-pertains to the interlocking of the main pins in theirrespective connecting links from which the chain is formed. Incutterchains of this character it is desirable that the chain be capable ofdisassembling in case of breakage or replacement of broken parts -with aminimum loss of time, particularly when being used in mines. At the sametime itdsessential that the link when in operation;

This invention, therefore, is particularly directed to the provision'ofa groove formed in the main pin connecting the links for interlockingreceptiorrof a locking rivet mounted to extend through suitabletransverse bores in the connecting link tangentially of the respective:main pins to interlock with the groove therein and prevent axialdisplacement thereof, and wherein the rivets'are securely held in place,but capable of being hammered free of" the pi for removal links beinterlocked to prevent separation of-the thereof.

The full nature of the invention will beunderstood from the accompanyingdrawings and the following'description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through a connecting link andadjoining bit carrier link with the bit block in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of a disassembled connecting link with one ofthe main pins mounted therein.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a main pin.

In the drawings there is shown a cutting chain structure comprising aconnecting link In and an adjoining bit carrying link H comprising theside plates I2 adapted to embrace the respective ends of the connectinglink. Said bit carrying link also includes an upstanding bit block 13carrying a removable bit l4 secured in place by a set screw [5.

The connecting link is provided with the usual 7 pin receiving openingsl6 extending transversely through opposite ends thereof in which anannular bushing I1 is mounted, the bit carrying link having its sideplates l 2 provided with openings mating and registering with saidbushings. The connecting link in is adapted to provide a pivotalconnection between adjacent bit carrying links in the usual manner, thepivotal connections therebetween comprising the main pins 18 adapted tobe inserted transversely through the openings I6.

Extending from top to bottom of each connecting link adjacent the innerside of each of the openings I6 there is provided a rivet bore l9 forreceiving a locking rivet .20. The said bores and lockingrivetsarecentrally disposed in the connecting link generally tangentialof the respective openings [6 and the bushings l1 secured therein withapproximately half of the diameter thereof traversing the openings. Asillustrated in-Fig. 1, said bores intercept the inner surfaces of thebushings, extending through adjacent side wallsthereof. v

Eachof the main pins is isformed with a groove 2-! shown herein asannular, but which may-extend onlypartially around one side of the in,-and whichis preferably semi-circular in cross section'to, conform with,receiveand seat therein a locking, rivet 20 when insertedthrough thebore l9. Thus, with themain pins mounted to. pivotally connectthelinks-they are locked against'axialjdisplacement or removal by theirrespective locking rivets 20.. For securing rivets 295 j in: lockingposition, they are each, provided with." axiianged head 22 I adapted, toengage and seat-within. a countersink 23 formed in thecon- 'necting linkat oneend of thebore [9. The other the rivet will be restrained fromlongitudinal or axial displacement for locking the main pin in positionwhile permitting free oscillation or rotation thereof within the bushing[1. In this connection it is noted that the main pin has one end thereofbroached to provide flats 2'! adapted to mate with a corresponding fiatformed in the pin receiving opening of one of the side plates l2.

This structure is such that the main pins will be locked against removalby the locking rivets. But when it is desired to disassemble the chainson the job for repair or replacement, the relatively soft metal lockingrivets may be readily knocked out of their locking engagement byhammering the peened over end with sufficient force to displace it. Withthe locking rivet forced free of interlocking engagement with the mainpin, said pin may be then readily removed. The chain can then bereassembled merely by re-inserting the main pin and forcing the lockingrivet back in place, or inserting a'new locking rivet, and again peeningover its free end in place.

The invention claimed is:

l. A cutting chain structure comprising alternate connecting links andbit carrying links having side plates embracing adjacent ends'of theconnecting links with aligned openings in the connecting ends of therespective links, bushings mounted in the openings of the connectinglinks having an internal diameter registering with the internal diameterof the mating openings in the bit carrying links, said latter openingshaving opposed flats, said connecting links each having a pair of boresextending transversely and tangentially of the openings therein inintercepting relation with the inner surface of said bushings and onadjacent sides thereof, a main pin having a centrally disposed groovereceivable within each of said bushings to extend through the matingopenings in said bit carrying link with said groove in mating relationwith the adjacent said bore, a locking rivet extending through each ofsaid bores with a portion thereof tangentially seating in the groove ofsaid pin to interlock and prevent axial displacement thereof, and meansfor securing each of said locking rivets in pin locking position throughopposed countersunk pin head engagement with opposed sides of said link,one of the heads of said pin being deformable to permit forcible removalthereof from its interlocking engagement with said main pin.

2. A cutting chain structure comprising alternate connecting links andbit carrying links having side plates embracing adjacent ends of theconnecting links with aligned openings in the connecting ends of therespective links, bushings mounted in the openings of the connectinglinks having an internal diameter registering with the internal diameterof the mating openings in the bit carrying links, said latter openingshaving opposed flats, said connecting links each having a pair of boresextending transversely and tangentially of the openings therein'inintercepting relation with the inner surface of said bushings and onadjacent sides thereof, a main pin having a centrally disposed groovereceivable within each of said bushings to extend through the matingopenings in said bit carrying link with said groove in mating relationwith the adjacent said bore, a locking rivet extending through each ofsaid bores with a portion -thereof tangentially seating in the groove ofsaid pin to interlock and prevent axial displacement thereof, and meansfor removably securing each of said locking rivets in pin lockingposition.

3. A cutting chain structure comprising alternate connecting links andbit carrying links having side plates embracing adjacent ends of theconnecting links with aligned openings in the connecting ends of therespective links, said connecting links each having a pair of boresextending transversely and tangentially of the openings therein inintercepting relation with the inner surface of adjacent sides thereof,a main pin having a centrally disposed annular groove receivable withineach of the mating openings of the respective links for pivotallyconnecting their adjacent ends and with said groove in mating relationwith an adjacent bore, a locking rivet extending through each of saidbores with a portion thereof tangentially seating in the groove of saidpin to interlock and prevent axial displacement thereof, and means forsecuring each of said locking rivets in pin locking position throughopposed countersunk pin head engagement with opposed sides of said link,one of the heads of said pin being deformable to permit forcible removalthereof from its interlocking engagement with said main pin.

ROBERT F. PROX, JR. BENJAMIN F. WOODS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,429,518 McMahon Sept. 19, 19221,660,354= Phelps Feb. 28, 1928 1,862,027 Lord June '7, 1932 2,012,947Bosnian Sept. 3, 1935 2,476,852 Forbes July 19, 1949

